One of the most popular second-generation diesels to serve on North American rails returns to N scale with accurate details and an upgraded mechanism. The Walthers N scale GP38-2 has a redesigned frame compared to the earlier Life-Like Proto N release. This Direct-Current (DC) model is easily converted to Digital Command Control. The prototype. The […]
Section: News & Reviews
Quick Look: MTH HO scale 70-ton center-discharge ore car
Price: Single car, $34.95; six-pack, $199.95 Manufacturer MTH Electric Trains 7020 Columbia Gateway Dr. Columbia, MD 21046 www.mthhotrains.com Era: Mid- to late 1990s, as decorated for the LIRR Road names: Long Island Rail Road; Bessemer & Lake Erie; Burlington Northern (with side extensions); Canadian Pacific; Great Northern; Milwaukee Road; Soo Line; and Union Pacific. Three […]
N&W 611 sees action as freight hauler NEWSWIRE
N&W No. 611 passes through Dry Fork, Va., with a short freight train as part of a June 15 ferry move. Kevin Gilliam Newly restored Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 No. 611 was back in action Monday, in somewhat unexpected fashion: as a freight hauler. After trips for the Norfolk Southern 21st Century Steam […]
Atlas HO scale Alco RS-1 diesel locomotive
From the pioneering long hood/short hood configuration to the staccato growl of its prime mover, the Alco RS-1 lives on in this accurate HO scale model from Atlas. I reviewed the Digital Command Control-equipped version that includes a factory-installed ESU LokSound Select dual-mode sound decoder. The prototype. Alco introduced the light road switcher, the RS-1, […]
Bachmann HO scale 72-foot passenger cars
The Bachmann Trains HO scale heavyweight passengers cars include flush-fitting windows and LED overhead interior lighting. A new body shell and other details highlight Bachmann’s recently released HO scale heavyweight passenger cars. The company has offered heavyweight passenger cars in the past, but these models, a coach and a passenger/baggage combine, feature finer rivet detail, […]
Quick Look: Broadway Limited Imports N scale 70-ton coal hopper car
Price: Ready-to-run 6-packs priced at $139.99 per set Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports 9 East Tower Circle Ormond Beach, FL 32174 www.broadway-limited.com Era: 1948 to 1980s Road names (six-packs): Illinois Central; Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Baltimore & Ohio; Chicago & North Western; CP Rail; CSX; Denver & Rio Grande Western; Great Northern; New York Central; […]
Runaway coal truck closes NS Pittsburgh Line NEWSWIRE
A runaway coal truck temporarily closed Norfolk Southern’s Pittsburgh Line in Summerhill, Pa. Erik Rasmussen SUMMERHILL, Pa. – A runaway coal truck crashed onto the NS Pittsburgh Line Friday, damaged two tracks and stopping main line rail traffic. At approximately 3 p.m. on June 12, a coal-hauling dump truck lost its brakes while travelling southeast […]
Weaver Models to close; Scalecoat paint to have new owner
Weaver Models, makers of O scale model trains and Scalecoat model railroad paint, will be closing its doors as of June 29. The Northumberland, Pa., model railroad manufacturer was founded in 1965 as Quality Craft Models, producing wooden kits in N scale to O scale. Today, in addition to hobby paint, the company produces O […]
New model trains for the week of June 11, 2015
Athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD60M diesel locomotive HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD60M diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: BNSF Ry. (experimental merger scheme in one road number, Heritage I in one number, and Heritage II in two numbers), CSX (Conrail patchout), Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific. Four numbers each unless noted. Five-pole skew-wound motor […]
New York MTA opens subway simulator to public NEWSWIRE
Visitor Peter Diamond runs the simulator. Joseph M. Calisi NEW YORK – Always wanted to operate a subway train? Here is your chance. Subway fans now have the opportunity to operate a first-of-its-kind subway simulator. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has created a realistic train simulator experience that the average railfan can now enjoy. The simulator […]
Page County Railway Museum opens in N&W Luray depot NEWSWIRE
LURAY, Va. – The town of Luray, working in cooperation with the Page County Railroad Club, has opened the Page County Railway Museum in the former Norfolk & Western depot. The project was more than 10 years in the making. It features exhibits tracing the history of railroading in Page County, with items such as […]
NS donates ‘Big John’ hopper car to Tennessee museum NEWSWIRE
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Norfolk Southern has donated former Southern Railway “Big John” covered hopper car No. 8744 to the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum. The car has a connection to Tennessee, as the Big John hoppers were maintained during the first half of their careers at the now gone Coster Shop in Knoxville. It will […]